Virginia passes new bill aimed at punishing underage drinking and driving more harshly

The Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee unanimously approved a bill that will make underage drinking and driving punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, the Star-Tribune reports.

The bill includes a clause that provides a zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving. Officials told the news source that individuals under age 21 who are caught drinking and driving under current laws can lose their license for six months and face a fine up to $500.

However, under the new bill, underage drunk drivers can lose their license for a year and face a minimum fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service.

"The argument in favor of it is that you discourage drinking and driving and that you put the same discouragement for drinking and driving as you do on possessing alcohol underage," Sen. Roscoe Reynolds told the news source.

According to the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, approximately 10 percent of high schools students drove after consuming alcohol. Furthermore, nearly 28 percent of the same age group reportedly rode with a driver who had been drinking.